Shooting Your Own Erotic Movies - Part I

With the explosion of the Internet, finding pornography has become easier than ever. Gone is the embarrassment of sneaking into the local adult video store and praying your boss isn’t shopping at the grocery store across the street. These days, satisfaction is a few keystrokes away. Online search engines have made it easy to search for and download porn from the comfort and privacy of your own home.

And if you think you’re alone, think again. A survey by Neilsen/NetRatings found that there were 27.5 million American visitors to porn sites in January, 2002 alone – and 72 per cent of them were men. In the UK, 33 per cent of all internet users watch pornography, according to a 2003 article by the Guardian.

What this means is that in your life, you’ve probably watched more than a few hours of pornography – and you’ve probably come to realize two things. First, that while it’s sometimes very good, Internet porn can also be very bad, and second, that you could probably do better.

The truth is, number two isn’t so far from reality. Making your own erotic movies is less complicated than you might think, provided you have a willing accomplice (girlfriend, wife or close friend), the right equipment, and some spare time on your hands.

In this article, the first in a series on making your own pornography, we’ll look at the technical end of things – the right equipment to use and effective shooting practices to make your erotic video top-of-the-line entertainment.

The first thing on your shopping list should be a digital video camera. The kind of camera you use will depend on your budget. If you simply can’t afford to spring for a camera, regardless of the cost, your best bet is to look in the yellow pages for businesses who will rent out equipment to you.

But keep in mind that although this will be more cost-efficient, you’ll likely still be paying by the day or by the week. This means that you might find yourself in more of a hurry to finish your shooting, which means that your labour of lust won’t be a professional looking as it would if you were able to take your time.

If you are in the market to buy, there are different digital video cameras for every budget. A Sony DCR-TRV350 Handycam, for example, can be found for under $500, while a Canon Optura Xi Mini DV can be purchased for under $1000. These are both common consumer-grade digital cameras with mainly automatic features.

Of course, as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for, and the difference will be noticeable. One of the main differences will be in the resolution – a more expensive digital video camera will have better picture quality, while a lower end camera will likely be grainier. You’ll also generally find better sound-quality on pricier cameras, longer battery life, and better low-light sensitivity.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t use either digital camera to your advantage. It’s a simple matter of remembering the limitations of your camera and working around them. For example, avoid low-light situations if you have a lower end camera.

If you really have some money to burn and are looking to improve your shooting abilities, try looking at a lower-end professional camera, like the Sony DVcam DSR-PD150. This camera is typically priced at between $3000 and $4000, but the quality will be far more professional. Additionally, there are far more manual settings, which means that if you decide to move beyond the point-and-shoot style, you can experiment and have far more control over the type of movie you make.

Overall, buying a miniDV (digital video) camera is your best bet for shooting erotic videos. Sure, you can probably buy a cheaper camera, but cheaper typically means larger. A small camera is ideal for getting those hard-to-reach shots, and if you’re shooting hand-held, your arms won’t get so sore.

Another thing to consider is a tripod. This could be one of your smartest investments, especially if you want to be one of the stars of your movie and don’t have someone else to do the shooting for you. Many cameras have specific tripods designed for that make and model, so be sure to ask the salesperson about the most cost-effective option.

Now that you’ve picked up your camera (and have hopefully at least skimmed the owner’s manual), it’s time to move on to lighting. Many a well-intentioned porn movie has gone bad due to ineffective lighting. Unless you want your film to have the green glow you saw in the infamous Paris Hilton video, pay attention.

Lights are one thing you’re probably better off renting than buying. While a digital video camera can be used in a variety of situations, from your niece’s graduation to the office New Years party, chances are you won’t be worrying about professional lighting in those circumstances. Unless you’re planning on shooting a lot of erotic films or want to pursue a career as an indie filmmaker, you simply won’t use them enough to warrant the cost.

What you need to know before you begin are the basics of three-point lighting. The concept is simple – let’s pretend you’re positioning the lights around your girlfriend, who is sitting and facing the camera.

First there’s your key light. This light is the brightest, and can often cause harsh shadows. Don’t shine this directly onto her; it’s best if you position it to shine on the side of her face.

The next light is your fill light – This is one you’ll generally soften by reflecting it off of a special umbrella or throught a diffuser. The light itself will face away from your girlfriend and will bounce off the umbrella (a shower curtain also works in a pinch), creating soft light that will fill in the shadows created by the key light. Umbrellas generally attach to the lights, so be sure to ask before renting if an umbrella is included.

Finally, there’s the back light. This one is optional, but will definitely improve your shot. If the room allows it (shooting in a small space might mean only using a key and fill light), set up the back light so that it shines above her or behind her.

This might sound complicated, but experiment to see what effect you like. Try renting the lights for a day and see if you think it’s manageable. If you are using the lights, remember to be careful – they get very hot very quickly. And finally, don’t be afraid to ask for a brief rundown on how to set them up before you rent them. Most companies won’t object to showing you how to position them, and it only takes a minute or two.

If you’re dead set against using lights, your best bet is to shoot in a place with a lot of natural light. For example, consider shooting outdoors on a sunny day, or in a very well-lit room. The effect won’t be the same as professional porn, but on the other hand, your first priority should always be having fun.

That’s it for Part I – stay tuned for Part II, where we’ll talk about sets, props, hints and storylines for making your own erotic movies!